Call For Applications: Futures Forward 2025

September 3rd, 2025

Hand Eye Society is back with our 8th annual Interactive Digital Media Fund: Futures Forward program, presented in partnership with Ontario Creates!

Are you an early-stage game developer in Ontario with a project you’re excited to bring to life, but unsure how to navigate the business side of starting a studio? Futures Forward is here to help. 

Since its launch in 2017, Futures Forward has helped nurture dozens of new studios and projects, including A Short Hike, Hill Agency, Civic Story, Crafty Survivors, CURSES,  Umami Grove, and Retroronto. Graduates regularly cite Futures Forward as a turning point in building confidence, accessing funding, and opening doors across the industry.

From Oct 11 – Dec 6, 2025, this program equips participants with the business skills, mentorship, and industry knowledge needed to launch and grow their studios. From incorporation and budgeting to marketing, funding, and pitching, you’ll gain the tools and confidence to set your studio up for success.

Program Overview

Through sessions, assignments, readings, and guest speakers, you’ll prepare yourself, your studio, and your game for pitching, securing funding, and succeeding in the Ontario games industry.

What You’ll Gain

  • A business and marketing plan for your studio and project.
  • The ability to effectively pitch to funders, publishers, channel partners and investors.
  • Knowledge of budgeting, cash flow, incorporation, contracts, and production methods.
  • Mentorship from experienced professionals.
  • Eligibility to apply to the Ontario Creates: Intellectual Property Fund (bypassing the 3 years of full-time industry experience requirement).

Program Schedule:

  • Schedule: Saturdays, Oct 11 – Dec 6, 2025, 1–4 PM EST
  • Commitment: 3–6 hours/week (sessions + assignments + readings)
  • Format: Weekly workshops with industry guest speakers + applied homework
  • Team Participation: 1–2 representatives should attend weekly

Below is our schedule breakdown:

  • Pitching and Financing: Funding Sources, Publishers, Tax Credits, Deferrals
  • Legal: Incorporation, Insurance, and Contracts
  • Budgeting: Payroll, Cash Flow & Accounting
  • Production Methodology: Scaling Up, Hiring, Timelines/Schedules
  • Audience Connection: Community Building, Publicity & Marketing
  • Industry Connection: Field Trip to the Toronto Game Expo
  • Strategy: Designing Your Company & Alternate Income Streams
  • Repitch: Moving Forward With Grant Writing

Cost & Commitment

  • No fee to apply.
  • If selected:
    • Must register for a Hand Eye Society membership ($20/month) for the duration of the program.
    • $100 refundable deposit (returned upon completion).

Application & Guidelines

Deadline to Apply: September 24, 2025 –  11:59 PM EST

 Apply Now – Futures Forward 2025 Application Form

Eligibility 

To apply, you must:

  • Have less than three years of full-time industry experience in game/content creation.
    • Not currently be enrolled as a student.
  • Be an Ontario resident.

Applicants will also be asked to submit:

  • A resume.
  • Examples of previous work (student projects, industry or industry-adjacent experience, or anything that demonstrates your skills).
  • A detailed description of the game or business idea you’d like to focus on during the program.

We especially encourage applications from creators who are women, BIPoC (Black, Indigenous, People of Colour), LGBTQIA+, disabled, or from other underrepresented backgrounds.

Only 10 – 12 applicants will be selected, and the program is highly competitive. Selections will be made by Hand Eye Society staff in consultation with Ontario Creates, with an eye towards cultural innovation and viability. If another partner program is a better fit, we may recommend your application there. Successful applicants will be contacted to confirm their participation and submit their membership and deposit shortly after.

Futures Forward is also offered by the following:

*Note: Applicants who apply to more than one partner organization in the Futures Forward stream (e.g., Interactive Ontario) will only be accepted to one program.

We gratefully acknowledge the support of Ontario Creates in making this program possible. We also appreciate the contributions of the Toronto Game Expo for the field trip portion of our program. You can find information about the Hand Eye Society’s history with Futures Forward on the Initiatives section of our website. Please check out the Ontario Creates website for even more information about the program and its other partner organizations.

💛 Don’t miss your chance! Apply now and take your next step toward building the studio you’ve always imagined.

Questions? Reach out to us at info@handeyesociety.com.

– The Hand Eye Society Team 💛

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